OEM Buyer

Krones; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision benefits

401(k) retirement program

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Krones, Inc. is seeking a Buyer for Commodity Management focused on OEM machinery and installation services in the US. You will execute commodity strategies, qualify suppliers, and lead negotiations for equipment, parts, and services.

Key responsibilities include cross-functional teamwork, market analysis, and driving cost reductions while maintaining high internal customer satisfaction to support project execution and delivery.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with relevant experience.
• Experience in purchasing with commodity responsibility preferred.
• Knowledge of SAP, Power BI and MS Office is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop supplier strategies and manage OEM machinery sourcing.
• Negotiate prices, terms and contracts with suppliers.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing and Finance.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive cost reduction initiatives.
• Plan and conduct supplier meetings and negotiations.

Skills

SAP Applications

Power BI

MS Office

Negotiation skills

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Power BI

MS Office

Job description

Krones designs, develops, manufactures, and installs both machines and complete packaging lines. We have become one of the leading system suppliers for breweries and beverage producers as well as for the food, chemical and cosmetics industries. Our 20,000 employees worldwide strive for innovation and detail and ensure that each customer receives the best quality in product and service.

We are currently looking for candidates who want to make a difference and who wish to be part of our dynamic organization in the US.Krones Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

JOB PURPOSE or JOB SUMMARY:

Commodity Management (OEM Machinery & Installation Services)

The Buyer is responsible for executing corporate commodity strategies, including OEM machinery purchasing as well as installation, commissioning, and related services contractor sourcing. This role actively participates in and leads commodity strategy development and implementation initiatives.

In addition, the Buyer is responsible for identifying, qualifying, implementing, rating, and auditing new and existing Suppliers, including OEMs and mechanical service/installation contractors.

The Buyer plays a key role in negotiating commercial contracts with Suppliers, including pricing, terms and conditions, supply agreements, and confidentiality or non‑disclosure agreements (NDAs).

This position manages all parts, equipment, and services within the assigned commodity scope, including capital equipment, aftermarket parts, and service contracts related to machinery installation and execution. The Buyer is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, implementing, and administrating contractual terms and supply agreements for the assigned commodity.

Key responsibilities include active participation in cross‑functional teams (Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance), researching best‑in‑class commodity and market practices, driving cost reduction initiatives, ensuring competitive sourcing, and maintaining a high level of internal customer satisfaction while supporting operational and project execution needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Early Supplier Development within Procurement Projects (internal Development Projects (PIP), Sales Phase Customer Projects, Investment Projects).
• Continuous improvement of purchasing processes and tools.
• Negotiation of prices in cooperation with buyers of each business unit.
• Negotiation of terms and conditions.
• Supplier agreements and contracts.
• Implementation of purchasing tools/processes.
• Continuous supplier development according to targets of Lead Buyer/Commodity Manager and supplier quality assurance.
• Performance of continuous market analysis.
• Proposing a commodity strategy on a plant level in alignment with the Department Manager Purchasing.
• Supporting the development of a corporate commodity strategy in the commodity team (consolidation of plant strategies).
• Deriving the plant strategy in alignment with the corporate commodity strategy along with participation with the business unit buyer.
• Communication of the plant corporate commodity strategy to the (plant) purchasing team.
• Realization of the plant corporate commodity strategy.
• Continuous development of the supply base.
• Monitoring of Supplier Performance.
• Securing of delivery dates for plant demands in case of escalations.
• Handling claims and invoice deviations in case of escalations.
• Planning, execution and follow-up of supplier meetings or negotiations.
• Ability to back fill buyers of business units as needed.
• Creation of local spend analysis per commodity and supplier within affiliate / Subsidiaries.
• Consolidation and mapping of the spend analysis into the group reporting.
• The Strategic Buyer also supports the commodity manager in:
• Holding kick-off meeting for implementation of corporate commodity management.
• Benchmarking with global supply base and creating TCO Benchmark within SRM
• Reconsidering commodity strategy.
• Preparing negotiations and contract management in alignment with Buyer of Business Unit (templates, check lists and time schedule).

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

Requires a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma with at least 5 years of related business experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience and/or Training:

Prefer a minimum of 2 years in a purchasing environment with commodity responsibility.

SKILLS:

Professional Skills:

• Knowledge of SAP Applications, Power BI & MS Office Suite.
• Knowledge of business administration and knowledge of policies, directives, guidelines, and standards.

Soft Skills:

• General social skills, capacity for teamwork, customer orientation, learning aptitude, problem-solving competence, general project management, time- and self-management, coordination and organizational skills, communication skills, and negotiation skills.

Krones , Inc. offers an outstanding opportunity to be involved with and challenged by leading-edge technologies, further career opportunities to learn and develop skills, a flexible work schedule and a competitive salary and benefits program. Our Krones Benefits program includes a generous health/dental/vision package, and 401(k) program in addition to other benefits.

A world leader in the processing and packaging industries, KRONES works with some of the largest beverage, food, and consumer packaging brands in the world. With projects ranging from planning and installing fully integrated processing, packaging, and bottling systems to replacing or upgrading individual machines, your work will make a difference by helping deliver vital products to the world.

As a Krones employee, you’ll experience the positive impact of Krones culture from day one. Whether you work on the production floor, in the office, or out in-the-field, Krones strives to create an inclusive environment where all team members feel supported and valued.